Sports News Desk
Somewhere
🇿🇦 Hirezar Summary for South African Applicants
This fully remote full time position at Somewhere is open to applicants from South Africa. The estimated monthly salary is R27,750 – R37,000 ZAR. This role is suited for mid-level professionals. As a remote position, you can work from anywhere in South Africa — whether you're based in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, or a smaller town.
Job Description
Sports News Desk Writer
Location:RemoteEmployment Type:Full-TimeSchedule:8-hour shifts, including weekends (Saturdays and Sundays required; typical days off are Thursday and Friday). Company operates on U.S. Central Time Zone.
Overview
We are seeking a talented and detail-orientedNews Desk Writerto join a fast-paced digital sports media newsroom. The role is ideal for an ambitious writer who thrives under deadline pressure and is passionate about delivering timely, accurate, and engaging sports coverage.This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to a leading digital platform covering U.S. college and high school sports, with a focus on breaking news, recruiting, NIL developments, and transfer portal updates.
As part of a collaborative editorial team, you’ll be responsible for producing multiple high-quality stories each shift while keeping pace with the dynamic and ever-changing sports landscape.
Key Responsibilities
* Write5–8 articles per 8-hour shift, as assigned and approved by editors.
Write5–8 articles per 8-hour shift, as assigned and approved by editors.
* Monitor breaking news, press releases, wire services, and social media to identify timely coverage opportunities.
Monitor breaking news, press releases, wire services, and social media to identify timely coverage opportunities.
* Craft compelling headlines and story angles that capture reader interest while maintaining editorial accuracy.
Craft compelling headlines and story angles that capture reader interest while maintaining editorial accuracy.
* Produce clean, well-structured, and factually accurate copy on tight deadlines.
Produce clean, well-structured, and factually accurate copy on tight deadlines.
* Adhere to editorial direction, brand voice, and AP-style guidelines to ensure consistent quality across all content.
Adhere to editorial direction, brand voice, and AP-style guidelines to ensure consistent quality across all content.
* Fact-check thoroughly and ensure proper sourcing and attribution in all reporting.
Fact-check thoroughly and ensure proper sourcing and attribution in all reporting.
* Collaborate with editors and fellow writers to prioritize coverage and maximize newsroom output.
Collaborate with editors and fellow writers to prioritize coverage and maximize newsroom output.
* Stay adaptable and responsive to shifting editorial priorities in a high-volume, real-time newsroom environment.
Stay adaptable and responsive to shifting editorial priorities in a high-volume, real-time newsroom environment.
* Contribute to continuous improvement by suggesting story ideas and offering feedback on editorial processes.
Contribute to continuous improvement by suggesting story ideas and offering feedback on editorial processes.
Qualifications & Requirements
* Writing Skills:Strong command of English with exceptional grammar, spelling, and clarity.
Writing Skills:Strong command of English with exceptional grammar, spelling, and clarity.
* Experience:Previous experience in journalism, digital media, or sports writing is highly preferred.
Experience:Previous experience in journalism, digital media, or sports writing is highly preferred.
* Knowledge:Familiarity with U.S. sports culture, particularly college football, basketball, recruiting, and NIL/transfer portal topics, is a strong plus.
Knowledge:Familiarity with U.S. sports culture, particularly college football, basketball, recruiting, and NIL/transfer portal topics, is a strong plus.
* Deadlines:Proven ability to produce high-quality work quickly and consistently under deadline pressure.
Deadlines:Proven ability to produce high-quality work quickly and consistently under deadline pressure.
* Digital Tools:Comfortable using collaboration and publishing platforms such as Slack, Imagn, Google Docs, and CMS systems.
Digital Tools:Comfortable using collaboration and publishing platforms such as Slack, Imagn, Google Docs, and CMS systems.
* Remote Work:Reliable internet connection and professional home-office setup for uninterrupted workflow.
Remote Work:Reliable internet connection and professional home-office setup for uninterrupted workflow.
* Schedule Flexibility:Must be able to work weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) with weekday shifts adjusted accordingly.
Schedule Flexibility:Must be able to work weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) with weekday shifts adjusted accordingly.
What We Offer
* Competitive compensation for offshore full-time writers.
Competitive compensation for offshore full-time writers.
* A remote-first, collaborative newsroom environment with opportunities for growth.
A remote-first, collaborative newsroom environment with opportunities for growth.
* Exposure to a leading U.S. sports media platform with a large and engaged audience.
Exposure to a leading U.S. sports media platform with a large and engaged audience.
* Hands-on editorial guidance, training, and support to help you succeed in a high-output newsroom.
Hands-on editorial guidance, training
Tips for South African Applicants
Timezone Advantage
South Africa (SAST, UTC+2) overlaps well with European business hours and has a few hours of overlap with US East Coast. Mention your timezone flexibility in your application.
Salary in Context
At R27,750/month, this role is on par with the average South African remote salary. The USD equivalent ($1,500/mo) benefits from the favourable exchange rate.
Application Tips
Tailor your CV to international standards — use a clean format, highlight remote work experience, and include your English proficiency. Many SA applicants succeed by emphasising their strong work ethic and cultural adaptability.
Load Shedding Preparedness
If you're applying for a remote role, having a backup power solution (UPS, inverter, or generator) and mobile data as a backup internet connection shows employers you're prepared for South Africa's infrastructure challenges.
About Somewhere
Somewhere is a company in the Recruitment & Staffing industry that hires remote workers from South Africa. They currently have 608 open positions on Hirezar. View all Somewhere jobs →